Mar 4 1960's WHOLE HOUSE REMODEL

With remodel projects, there’s always questions from the get-go about what should stay, and what should go. Should the whole house be gutted, or are there things that are worth preserving?

The clients and I have had our fair share of those types of conversations about the front door, and fireplace at Project High Mark, a late 1960’s, custom home, which I’m sure in it’s day was quite spectacular!

FRONT DOOR

I think it’s fair to say that in this case, they don’t build them like they use to! The front door is made of solid wood, and has applied moldings. It appears to have been built in place.

If this was your front door of a remodel project, would you keep it? Or replace it? And if you kept it, would you make changes to it? And if so, what kind of changes?

Before I share what we decided to do, take a closer look…

1960’S ORIGINAL FRONT DOOR & BRICK COLUMNS

1960’S ORIGINAL FRONT DOOR & BRICK COLUMNS

1960’S ORIGINAL FRONT DOOR

VIEW FROM THE FRONT DOOR TO THE FOYER

FRONT DOOR - INTERIOR SIDE

Now for the interior side of the door. It’s exactly the same design but with door knobs, instead of door handles. Did you notice the brick? Actually, that’s a silly question, of course you noticed the brick! It repeats from the exterior to the interior. One thing that you may not have noticed is that the brick columns, themselves extend from the exterior to the interior.

INTERIOR VIEW OF THE FROINT DOOR, LOOKING FROM THE FOYER

INTERIOR VIEW OF THE FROINT DOOR, LOOKING FROM THE FOYER

FRONT DOOR DETAIL - INTERIOR VIEW

FIREPLACE

And there’s more….when you first enter the house, from the front door, straight a head is a full wall with openings on each side, that lead to the family room.

At the end of that space is a gigantic fireplace, flanked by two brick columns, and two full windows. As you might have guessed, the brick columns continue thru to the exterior of the house and then repeat again. The same lines and pitch of the front door and fireplace continues as part of a covered patio.

1960’S FAMILY ROOM BRICK & COPPER FIREPLACE

1960’S FAMILY ROOM BRICK & COPPER FIREPLACE

VIEW FROM FAMILY ROOM LOOKING TOWARDS THE FOYER

DOES THE FRONT DOOR STAY, OR DOES IT GO?

It definitely stays! That was an easy decision. We are going to make some modifications though. The contractor on the project, who happens to be an outstanding finish carpenter, is going to work his magic with repairs and then open up the top panels so glass can be added.

DOES THE FIREPLACE DESIGN STAY, OR GO?

It definitely stays - it is almost as though we don’t have a choice. They are all a packaged deal - the repeat of the brick columns from the front of the house, through to the fireplace, and then continuing to the back of the house, forming the covered patio makes it so you can’t change one without the other.

What are we doing to update the fireplace design? Honestly, we haven’t decided. We’re still bouncing ideas around, but I’m certain, that in the end that it will be stunning.

THE TAKE AWAY

So what’s the take away with all this?

I’m kind of a purist when it comes to architecture. I’m not a fan of houses architecturally being turned into something that they weren’t originally designed to be. For example, rosettes don’t belong in ranch style homes, nor does crown moulding belong on vaulted ceilings.

If the architecture of a house is going to be altered from its original design, then it needs to be done completely and throughly. Otherwise it will look like a confusing hodge podge of styles.

That said, I’m all for updating and modernizing homes but in ways that still honor the original architecture. With Project High Mark, we’ve been doing just that! Check back soon to see more progress photos and updates.